Should I just give up the "dream?"

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2003
Should I just give up the "dream?"
5
Thu, 06-16-2005 - 4:58pm
Hi all.. Ok so here's my question and my issue.. I am 34 years old, 5'9 inches tall and have always been very muscular and pretty fit. At my wedding (8 years ago) I weighed 155 and was a size 8. I have since had 2 girls (6 and 3) and after both pregnancies I got back down within a year and felt pretty good, always in a size 10 but still hanging at about 163. I started doing SB back in May after gaining weight with our move, xmas etc. At that time I weighed about 175 and was a size 12. I set my goal to once and for all get below 160, hopefully back to 155. Well, here I am however many weeks later and I am back to my standard 163 and a size 10. I am working out as always, lifting weights and am pretty toned, albeit my stomach could be flatter and more toned.. :) SO, my frustration is that this scale just never wants to get below 163... Should I just give up on the dream to get below 160 and be happy with where I am? I really don't understand why my body gets here and just stays here! I understand set point theory and all that and I guess I could deal with it if someone told me that my body just won't lose anymore weight but I really don't believe that. I feel that I am very healthy and doing everything right. I look fine but I truly don't believe that I am at "my best." So what do I do? As you can tell I am pretty frustrated... to be so close and yet not achieve what I set out to do is really getting to me.
Any advice you all have would be a huge help right now..
Thanks!
Lisa
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-16-2005 - 7:02pm

Hi Lisa!

I don't really have any words of wisdom, but I wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I'm in the same boat and it's sooooooo frustrating. I started out at 140 lbs. (I'm 5'3") and wanted to get to a very realistic 125 lbs. I work out 4-5 days a week HARD and follow the SBD plan almost perfectly. I've only lost 8 lbs. since 2/21/05! I also have 2 DD's (4 and 1) and have always lost the baby weight quickly. I'm so frustrated about that scale not moving, but I've decided to get to 130 lbs. and see how I'm feeling about it all. I'm tired of worrying about the scale and maybe that's just a more realistic weight for me at this point in my life (I'm 36, curvey-ish, size 6).

My only advice is for you to take measurements. It keeps me sane when the scale is stuck. I've lost 3" in my waist and 3 1/2" in my hips since February and that's a great motivator since the scale is barely budging. I think since you're working out and are fit and toned, you're going to lose slower. My trainer told me to forget weighing and just go by how my clothes fit, body fat %, how toned I am, etc. It's hard, but I'm trying to adhere to that advice.

You're also in a healthy weight for your height so the weight loss will be slower. Have you read the suggestions on breaking through a plateau? It might also be helpful.

I'm sorry I'm not much help, but I do know where you're coming from and I empathize with you. I'm sure you look great though, but I do understand the frustration.

Kim
140/132/125(?)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2003
Thu, 06-16-2005 - 7:58pm
Kim.. thank you so much for the kind words. It definitely helps to know that I am not the only one with this struggle.. :) And I also know that I should really not care about the scale - most days I try not to even look at it let alone weigh myself but other days it just gets to me - especially when I haven't been on it in a week or so and then get on and it says the same thing!!! :) But my clothes are fitting me fine so I should really try and not complain. My goal was never to get to a size 8 again as that is too skinny for me and doesn't look right on my frame so 10 is where I am now and I should just accept that as fine and move on.. :) Easier said than done though I guess..
But thank you so much for sympathizing - it definitely helps!!!
Lisa
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-16-2005 - 10:22pm

Lisa, you're welcome and one more thing... a very wise board member here recently reminded me that nobody but me knows what that scale says, so who cares what the number is (except, of course, I report my stats here, but that doesn't really count, right?;-)). I think that's such a great way of thinking! I get so hung up on how much weight I've lost and how much I weigh and forget the bigger and better picture of overall well-being and health. And I know I look and feel better and that's what *should* count. But, of course, the reality is that I DO wish I'd see more progress with the scale so I do know where you're coming from there. It does sound like you're happy with how you look and feel and that's great. Try to stay focused on that (and I'll do the same... ;-)).

Kim

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Fri, 06-17-2005 - 8:34am

I haven't had kids, so I can't relate on that front, but I can relate to trying to get back to a previous weight and being frustrated at the inability to get there!

My "dream" weight is 120, which I have only been at once in my life for more than a few days, and I only maintained for three months. I am content at 125, which I have gotten to on SBD but recently gained a couple pounds that I cannot get rid of.

I too have realized that I am working out more than ever and I eat so many healthy foods that I am probably healthier than I have ever been. I think we have to realize that these are successes too, even if they aren't on the scale!

You can also look over your diet and see if there is anything you could improve on and see if that gets the scale rolling!

Hang in there!

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2002
Fri, 06-17-2005 - 12:31pm

Hi Lisa,


I empathize and I relate!!